Welcome Home: A New Studio for Our Neurodivergent Community in Milwaukee
For the first time in five years, Islands of Brilliance has a home again!
And not just any home. A place filled with color, light, creativity, and community. A place where autistic and neurodivergent students can gather in person, where parents can breathe a little easier, where staff can collaborate face-to-face, and where the amazing creative work of our students can shine.
This June, we opened the doors to our new studio in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood, inside the historic Eagleknit building. It marks a major new chapter for Islands of Brilliance, and we cannot wait to welcome you inside.
Why “Home” Matters for Neurodivergent Students
Consistency. Predictability. Comfort. For autistic and neurodivergent individuals, these are not just nice-to-haves…they are essential foundations for learning, growth, and belonging.
For five years, we managed to make it work without a permanent space, running hybrid and virtual programs, borrowing temporary classrooms, and finding creative ways to stay connected. Our students, families, mentors, and staff showed remarkable flexibility and resilience. But even as we grew, we always knew what was missing…a home base where our entire community could gather, collaborate, and create together.
Now that we are home again, the possibilities feel endless.
A Space Designed for Creativity, Comfort, and Connection
Our new studio was thoughtfully designed to meet the diverse needs of our neurodivergent students and families. Thanks to generous community partners, the space features:
State-of-the-art creative technology, including a 75” Vibe Smart Board that allows us to lead dynamic in-person and hybrid workshops, connect with schools across the country, and expand our Brilliant Backpack offerings. We’re grateful to CBRE for becoming an official Technology Sponsor! It’s the support of donors and corporations that make this happen. It takes a village.
The Kohl’s Zen Den, a cozy, sensory-friendly retreat where students can regroup and recharge.
Three breakout rooms and a conference room that offer smaller, quieter spaces for one-on-one mentoring or small group work.
Flexible furniture and multiple seating options allow us to adapt each space to the needs of the moment.
Natural light, adjustable dimmable lighting, and sound-dampening design to create a calm, comfortable environment for learning and creating.
Artwork created by IOB students over the years fills the walls with color, joy, and inspiration.
As you step inside, you’re greeted with original hardwood floors, exposed concrete, bright colors (yes, plenty of IOB Orange), and an atmosphere intentionally designed to spark creativity while honoring sensory needs.
A Hub for Families, Caregivers, and the Milwaukee Community
The new studio doesn’t just serve our students. It’s a gathering space for their families as well.
While students are engaged in workshops, parents and caregivers can relax in our comfortable front lounge, connect with other families, or enjoy nearby neighborhood spots. Walker’s Point offers wonderful coffee shops like Vendetta Coffee and Anodyne Coffee, restaurants for every taste, and IOB supporter Indeed Brewing just across the street! They even run a rooftop beer garden in our building that offers incredible views of Milwaukee’s skyline and the Hoan Bridge during the summer months.
Beyond our own studio, the Eagleknit building itself offers even more spaces for connection… beautiful shared lobbies, cozy seating areas, and the rooftop gathering space, all just steps away. Our families once again have places to gather, take respite and catch their breath, and find community while their students create and grow inside the studio.
Rooted in Partnership and Community
We are incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by neighbors and partners who share our mission of creating opportunity for neurodivergent individuals and their families:
SRH, a creative agency located right next door inside Eagleknit, with team members who also serve as IOB mentors.
i.c.stars, an outstanding career readiness program for young adults entering the technology industry, also located within Eagleknit.
Just one block away, Independence First, Milwaukee’s Center for Independent Living, offers a wide range of services for people with disabilities, creating future opportunities for collaboration between our organizations to better serve both communities.
Being part of Walker’s Point… one of Milwaukee’s most vibrant, creative, and inclusive neighborhoods makes this home feel exactly right for Islands of Brilliance.
Gratitude for the Village That Made This Possible
This home was built by many hands and generous hearts. We are deeply grateful to:
UWM’s Lubar Entrepreneurship Center and Brian Thompson, who opened their doors to us for three years, providing a home-away-from-home for our workshops.
Impact100 Milwaukee, whose grant outfitted the space with the technology and equipment our students need to thrive.
Kohl’s Cares, whose funding created our Zen Den and helped us design a truly sensory-friendly studio.
Findorff Construction, who built the space beautifully and continue to support us as sponsors of our Colors & Chords rooftop event.
HGA Architects and Engineers, whose design expertise brought our vision for an accessible, flexible, sensory-friendly, and welcoming studio to life.
CBRE for becoming one of our pioneering Innovation Supporters. Their generosity demonstrates the values and commitment that define CBRE's approach to community engagement, and their support directly benefits the learning experiences of our participants.
Visit. Celebrate. Support.
As we continue to grow into our new home, there are still meaningful ways to support the future of Islands of Brilliance. Sponsorship opportunities remain for several of our breakout rooms, conference room, and creative lab. These naming opportunities help sustain this beautiful space while leaving a lasting mark on the community that gathers here. To learn more, please contact our Executive Director, Mark Fairbanks, at mark@islandsofbrilliance.org.
We invite you to stop by, take a tour, and see the creativity, joy, and community that fills these walls. Whether you are a longtime supporter, a curious neighbor, or a family considering joining our programs, you are welcome here.
This home is more than a studio…it’s a space where neurodivergent creativity thrives, families connect, and our community continues to grow stronger together. We are so happy to be home…and we can’t wait to welcome you inside.
